Music

Music is in my blood. My father and grandfather were both gifted musicians who would often be front and center wherever there was a kitchen party to be found. I inherited a love for good music from my dad whose guitar featured prominently at various special occasions, campouts, and the occasional Saturday night where he was simply on the couch with his guitar.

Though my parents tried to sign me up for guitar lessons when I was about twelve years old, it didn’t go well. I very quickly quit to join the jr high concert band at school. I bounced from instrument to instrument, settling on the trombone – but I wasn’t very good at it, and wound up quitting that as well. I was blessed to have an incredible music teacher through those years who helped further instill in me a love for good music.

It wasn’t until a few years later – after encountering an incredible music ministry called One Voice – that I felt inspired pick up the guitar again (much to my father’s delight.) That was more than twenty years ago now, and I’ve had the privilege of playing music in Church, around the campfire, and on stage in Canada, the United States, and at a rally during the lead up to World Youth Day 2011 in Malaga, Spain.

One of the great highlights of my time as a music minister was the chance I had to lead a music ministry called Anaphora, who served retreats, rallies, and conferences in the Edmonton Area. Anaphora was made up for musicians and singers who were all very gifted at music – but even more wonderful people, and in the fall of 2013 we released a live album recorded at the Catholic Family Life Conference (which is unfortunately long sold out.) As we all grew up and had families, we discerned that our season as a regular music ministry had passed, and the band broke up.

I am still very active in music ministry, playing for Masses at my own parish and putting together the music ministry for the Family Life Conference each summer. Music also plays a big part in my speaking and retreat ministry – hopefully doing justice to those talented musicians who’ve come before me.